CPI(ML) Liberation's Manifesto for Change in Bihar | Bihar Elections 2025

The time has come to free Bihar from the clutches of the BJP-JDU government which has been in power for the last two decades. Destruction in the name of development, crime, loot and anarchy in the name of good governance, crumbling education and health systems, vicious cycle of poverty, consistently arrested development and increasing migration, violence against Dalits, minorities and women, acute unemployment – this is the reality of today's Bihar. Students and youth are migrating in search of employment and secure future, farmers are burdened with debt and expenses and women are living under the double crisis of debt trap and social insecurity. It is crystal clear now that this government has pushed Bihar into unprecedented desolation.

In the 2020 assembly elections held amidst the COVID Pandemic, the people of Bihar had already expressed their desire to get rid of the BJP-JDU government and had almost led Bihar to the brink of change. But then the Mahagathbandhan missed forming the government by very narrow margins. CPI(ML) renewed its energy from this public sentiment for change and in the last five years, by establishing broad unity of the struggling forces, it has been continuously striving to take forward the campaign for change in Bihar.

All our 12 MLAs who won in 2020 raised their voice vociferously against all repression and persecution, from the Assembly to the streets. They intervened on every critical issue inside the Assembly and held the government accountable each time. When Nitish Kumar joined the Mahagathbandhan for a short period of 17 months, CPI(ML) MLAs worked as a bridge between the government and the public. We expressly fulfilled the crucial responsibility of democratic politics, being the voice of the people in the Assembly and taking the decisions of the Assembly to the people.

The socio-economic survey conducted during the Mahagathbandhan government exposed the dire situation in Bihar. Appallingly, almost 95 lakh families were found below the poverty line. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced aid of Rs 2 lakh each to these families, but to date, not a single person has received even a partial amount. CPI(ML) launched the 'Haq Do-Vada Nibhao' campaign and organized a series of protests at the block headquarters across the state, on the demands of Rs. 2 lakh as aid, raising the reservation limit to 65 percent, curbing feudal violence and housing for the poor.

After the completion of the Assembly term, CPI(ML) MLAs presented the report cards of their five-year tenure before the public. This is certainly an unseen development in Bihar politics, but it reflects the party's commitment to ensuring political transparency, integrity and accountability. Accountability towards the public is the core identity of our politics as well as our greatest strength.

To give shape to Bihar's aspiration for change, various agitational initiatives ranging from padyatras to the 'Mahajutaan' were taken under the 'Badlo Bihar Abhiyan'. Through this campaign, we went to every nook and corner of Bihar and weaved together the voices of workers, farmers, youth, women, Dalits, deprived, minorities and scheme workers into a unified echo for change. We also worked to bring together all the ongoing mass movements in Bihar on a common platform to set in motion a comprehensive struggle for social justice, economic equality and democratic rights.

CPI(ML) has crusaded vigorously to shape and strengthen the national level INDIA Alliance on the ground because we believe that defeating BJP-RSS's fascist regime is the primary condition for safeguarding our democracy and the Constitution.

This assembly election is not only significant for Bihar but is also quite significant to keep alive our democracy and the constitution in the country. CPI(ML) and Mahagathbandhan along with the people of Bihar have effectively pushed back the attempts to create a self-serving arbitrary voter list through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). BJP is all set to attempt this anti-democratic experiment of vote theft to capture power across the country.

This is just an example of an all out attack soon to be set on the Constitution and our Democracy. When the likes of RSS, a fascist organisation is celebrating its 100th anniversary and exerts control over the central government in the country, the need to safeguard our Democracy, the Constitution and the legacy of 'Ganga-Jamuni Tahzeeb' in our country and to strengthen the campaign to defeat Corporate Loot and Bulldozer Raj has increased more than ever.

CPI(ML) is contesting this assembly election on very few – only 20 seats – but with brimming strength and commitment. While contesting the elections with the INDIA alliance, we are determined to stand strong for equity and rights of the poor, Dalits, deprived, women, minorities and youth of Bihar. We know that the locus of our struggle is not just the assembly elections, but the voice, hopes and rights of the people of Bihar.

While affiliating to the shared manifesto of INDIA Alliance, we are also handing over to you CPI(ML)'s Manifesto for Change, a document to envision and resolve for change in Bihar and for a better future for all the toiling and working masses of Bihar. This manifesto is a vision of a new Bihar – a Bihar that stands on equality, education, employment, justice and human dignity, a Bihar that moves forward on the strength of its youthful vigor.

CPI(ML) resolves to challenge every unjust wall of power by voicing the poor, women, Dalits, deprived, minorities, farmers, workers, students and youth. This election is not just an opportunity for us to change the government, but it is a historic opportunity to change the direction and state of Bihar.

This manifesto is a document to guarantee the rights and dignity of the working class, landless, farmers, workers, women, youth, Dalits, deprived, minority and the tribals of Bihar.

We resolve to:

Rebuild Bihar on a strong foundation of justice, equality and democracy, so that the progress benefits all deprived communities.

1. Justice for the Landless and Homeless:

·     5 decimal Land in Rural Areas and 3 decimal Land in Urban Areas as well as Permanent Housing for every Landless and Homeless Family

·     Redistribution of 21 lakh acres of land by implementing the recommendations of the Bandopadhyay Commission

·     Guarantee of Certification and Occupancy to the poor living on non-cultivable and government lands.

·     Prohibition on displacement of the poor without rehabilitation

2. Prosperity of Farmers, Sharecroppers and Agriculture:

·     Guarantee of fair prices and government procurement of all crops

·     Loan Waivers for farmers and rural labour

·     Free electricity for agriculture, guaranteed supply of water to every farm and upgradation of canals

·     Identity cards, guarantee of rights and ban on eviction for sharecroppers

·     Restoration of APMC Act, Agricultural Market Committees to be reactivated

·     Emphasis on agriculture-based industries and trade

3. Social Equality and Justice

·     65% reservation for the Deprived Communities and Initiative to include it in the 9th Schedule

·     Guarantee of fundamental needs like electricity, ration and pension

·     Strict action against violence on Dalits and the poor, police excesses and corruption

·     Rs. 1,500 old-age pension, waiver of all loans up to Rs. 2 lakh

4. Dignity of Labour and Scheme Workers:

·     Regular Wages and Status of Government Employee for all ASHA, Rasoiya, Anganbadi, Mamta, Jivika, Sanitation Workers and Planning Staff

·     200 days of work under MNREGA, daily wages of Rs. 600

·     Restoration of OPS

·     Directorate and State-wise assistance centers for the safety of migrant workers

5. Youth and Education:

·     Immediate filling of all vacant posts, Rs 3000 monthly allowance to the unemployed

·     Common School System and control over private education

·     Strict laws against paper leaks and increase in scholarship fund

·     Women's college in every block and free education for girl students

·     Initiative to get Patna University the status of a Central University

6. Women's rights and dignity:

·     Rs. 2500 monthly honorarium to all women

·     Strict prohibition of violence, harassment and honour crimes

·     Compliance with Vishakha guidelines at workplaces and provision of women's hostels

·     Curbing microfinance exploitation and debt relief for poor women

·     Interest-free loans for self-employment and guaranteed maternity leave

7. Minorities, tribals and environment:

·     Protection of minority rights, safeguarding of Waqf properties and implementation of the recommendations of the Sachar Committee

·     Prompt action on incidents of communal violence and hate speech

·     Forest rights for tribals, self-governance under PESA Act and protection from displacement

·     Sustainable solutions for flood and drought control and prevention of illegal mining

8. Health and Public Service:

·     Recruitment on 40% vacancies in health services, free treatment, tests and medicines for all

·     Health centres equipped with doctors and medicines in every Panchayat

·     Clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in every village

9. Small shopkeepers, startups and people with disabilities:

·     Security of livelihood of street vendors and guarantee of vending zones

·     Easy loans and guidance support to small businesses and startups

·     Rs. 3000 monthly pension and free ration to all disabled people

10. Good governance and safeguarding the Constitution:

·     Review of law on prohibition and devising a just policy

·     Effective measures to control inflation

·     Complete Resistance to implementation of any law against the Constitution or the federal structure in Bihar.

This manifesto is a document guaranteeing a new Bihar based on justice, equality and democracy.

CPI(ML)'s legislators in the Bihar Assembly will represent public interest, the voice of the people and the strength of people's movements and will take every possible initiative and struggle to establish transparency and accountability in governance.

Vote, Support and Elect the 20 candidates of CPI (ML) Liberation by pressing the button in front of the ‘Flag With Three Stars’ and strengthen the most vocal and committed voice of people's rights, constitution and democracy. Render your massive support to the INDIA Alliance and help form the government with a decisive majority.

Inquilab Zindabad,

CPI(ML) Bihar State Committee

Patna, Bihar